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Message: <blockquote data-quote="darkbard" data-source="post: 7057747" data-attributes="member: 1282">Folks, I would love to brainstorm with your aid about a new campaign scenario with which I continue to tinker and hope to get off the ground sooner than later.The campaign's opening scenario will see the PCs witnessing (and trying to stop, though the cards are stacked against them) an assassination of an adored leader of the popular uprising that killed the Sorcerer-King Kalak in Tyr. Said leader, the former gladiator Rikus (a famous NPC from the books, sourcebook and otherwise), is assaulted by a defiling wizard who summons a demon as part of the assassination. In the wake of this event (whether the PCs save Rikus's life or not, they must defeat the wizard, his thugs, and the demon in the opening scenario), they are approached by three figures, through whom I hope to present the PCs with plenty of options, but tough ones, both ethically, residing in moral gray areas, and with regards to their own goals and motivations.These figures are:(1) A templar and official of the new governmental regime. He despises the fact that the Guard was unable to protect a political leader, even one of whom he may not have approved, and sees the PCs as clearly more capable than the standard guardsman and thus ripe for enlistment in dangerous work. He seeks to use the assassination as an excuse to crack down on the Veiled Alliance, an organization of wizards (arcane magic is outlawed), even though they had nothing to do with the assassination and do not practice defiling magic.(2) A representative of an influential noble house, who also happens to belong to a secret society known as The True, which seeks to tamp down the popular uprising and restore the deposed Sorcerer-King, or a suitable replacement, to the throne. Often practitioners of defiling magic themselves and, in fact, the true perpetrators of the assassination, this group seeks also to use the event as an excuse to eliminate a rival: the Veiled Alliance, which played a role in the uprising and opposes defiling magic at any cost.(3) A member of the Veiled Alliance, who knows the organization had nothing to do with the murder and recognizes that the PCs can be powerful allies in their fight against dark forces.Essentially, all three make recruitment calls. I've decided that #2 above will seek to have the PCs infiltrate the Veiled Alliance in an attempt to learn the identities of its leaders and then be able to destroy the group from within (unless the PCs change their goals once they suss out what factors are truly at play).I'm looking for help in devising compelling (and ethically fraught) scenarios for #1 and 3. What will the Templar ask of the PCs in his attempt to strike at the Veiled Alliance? A simple mercenary assault on a Veiled Alliance safehouse or similar, for example, seems a little dull. I want the PCs to have a reason to consider taking this offer (see below for PC motivations).As to the Veiled Alliance itself, how do they wish to utilize the PCs? Assuming the PCs pass muster and convince them of their trustworthiness, what action/mission might they be tasked with?PC motivating scenarios:PC 1 Druid: Has a map from mentor leading to King's Gardens within the Golden City of the Templars (represented by #1 above), a place normally off limits to regular citizens. Within this garden, should encounter something that will provide a clue in her quest to bring some healing to the Burnt World.PC 2 Rogue: Begins play with the ability to speak Draconic, the language of magic, though this is not studied but innate. Hopes to MC Sorcerer, and finding a mentor, be it the Veiled Alliance or a defiler, like those among The True or some Templars could provide the spark he needs to realize this goal.PC 3 Fighter: Was a gladiator champion, whose partner went missing before their last match. Has been searching for partner, to no avail, since. Strangely, that partner appears as a Templar warrior in the entourage of the Templar who approaches the PCs but will not acknowledge the Fighter in any way. Intrigue!tl;dr In any event, I would love additional ideas to open up some possibilities by drawing the PCs into the schemes of (1) The political machinations of the oppressive Templars, trying to hold power in the face of a rising democracy, (2) A conservative aristocratic family that has been infiltrated by mad loyalists to the deposed Sorcerer-King, and (3) a group of arcanists, ruthless at times, that seeks to continue fighting the forces that continue to defile the planet. Specifically, what will groups #1 and 3 look to have the PCs do following the call to enlistment?Thanks for your patience with reading and any suggestions you may have!</blockquote>

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